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The funeral procession for former Maryville Fire Chief Ken Abbott circled Maryville Municipal Center Tuesday morning, with every fire department and other emergency services in the county represented.

Firefighters in front of Station No. 1 solemnly stood to pay tribute in front of Maryville fire trucks with the lights flashing as the white hearse carrying the body of Abbott and the procession passed.

In addition to firemen, City of Maryville employees also stood in front of the building in his honor.

The procession left Smith Mortuary about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday traveling west on Lamar Alexander Parkway to Gary Hensley Boulevard and then turned up the street named after the city manager when Abbott served as chief. The procession then turned onto West Broadway in front of the municipal center and then traveled back down East Lamar Alexander Parkway to Montvale where it proceeded to Forest Hill Baptist Church, where Abbott was laid to rest.

He was buried in the same cemetery as his parents -- father, Harold Bruce Abbott, and mother, Ethel Sellers Abbott Mynatt.

The funeral procession included fire trucks from Maryville, Alcoa, Blount County, Friendsville, Greenback and Townsend; Maryville Police; Blount County Sheriff's Office and Rural/Metro Ambulance Service, which paid tribute to Abbott.

Maryville Fire Captain Steve Hommontree said of the burial, "It was emotional. He couldn't have asked for anything more."

Abbott had several chronic illnesses, got sick a little over a month ago and died Saturday at the family home at age 69, said his daughter Debby Leonard of Maryville.

Abbott was with Maryville Fire Department for 28 years and served as fire chief from 1988 to 1994.

She said after his retirement, Abbott enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Mallory, Maddie and Bella Leonard.

He had one son, Kenny Abbott.